Just Say No
to Movidas
Every vote makes a difference in Española and Rio Arriba County. Every movida costs lives. Literally, every movida is covered in blood. The blood of family, neighbors, friends, compadres and comadres. The movidas are impacting the people we lay eyes on every single day. It doesn’t matter if you’re committing the movida or the collateral damage of a movida. In Española, everyone gets a piece of the hurt. Fact.
Every single “outsider” in Española is also subjected to it. Making the choice to live in the Española Valley meant also accepting the fact that I would bury friends every year I live here. I will comfort someone through grief. I will mourn just like everyone else. Jacob Torres (District 1 City Councilor candidate) and I first made contact after the murder of Cypress Garcia. That’s how I made a friend. Talking then about my concerns over the police department’s massive staff shortage a direct result of John Ramon Vigil winning the mayoral election. That’s not personal, grade school dislike; a police department refused to work for someone they had just investigated for his questionable conduct as city councilor.
Everything becomes personal in Española. We don’t separate the professional. Far too long it has been intertwined that way for a reason. Making it all family, also kept everyone loyal and kept the power, in the family. We all know the history. Times have changed. Española is no longer as isolated as it was during the political powerhouse days of the 1970s and on. Today, it wouldn’t be as easy to remain in a position of power when accusations of child molestation surround you. Today, information is readily available and exchanged. That information reaches past the Española Valley. It’s time for everyone residing in the City of Española to take a second and adult. This isn’t mitote. The last 4 years have been a documented, abhorrent failure of a governing body and our city administration to serve its constituents. It is way more than someone’s hurt feelings or potential embarrassment. It’s more than a “family” squabble. We are watching people die, daily, over movidas.
It is well past time to take control of what belongs to all. This community that we choose to give our all to. I’m not going anywhere which is why I stepped up, spoke up and was front and center in front of the retaliation firing squad. I’m still here. Having come from a large place where my single voice didn’t matter, makes me appreciate all the more what one person can accomplish in Española. Imagine for a moment if all the adults within the Española city limits decided to speak? That would be the first break of the intergenerational chain of abuse. Let’s stop holding the dirty secrets. Let’s stop ignoring it and let’s stop pretending we don’t have the power to change it.
The first step is to Speak UP Espanola, vote. Whatever your choice, make it. Don’t just sit back reading the mitote and watching Española crash and burn around you. Say something. The days of the almighty politico who could silence you with a look are over. There are far too many eyes now watching Española. Take the stand — whatever your stand might be. Early voting begins Feb. 3. Election day March 3. Vote for Espanola’s future — a future in which this entire community speaks and takes control. Don’t let another 64 “absentee” ballots lead us into another devastating four years of egos and movidas. It’s time for the adults in the city to get the ballot box chancla out and adjust a few attitudes. Time to get the house in order. Vote in the City Election. It matters. Stay informed Española.
Cynthia Lentini
Española
Support for
Salazar
Dear Española Residents,
The upcoming election is very important as it will determine the direction of our city for the next 4 years. In order to change the course to professionalism and effective management, we need a strong, experienced person with good leadership skills.
Write-In candidate Joann V. Salazar is that person. She is intelligent, mature and possesses the characteristics and ability to move our city in the right direction, Joann is respectful, healthy and energetic. Those qualities are essential to be a successful mayor.
My family humbly ask you to vote for Joann V. Salazar so that our city can thrive. She knows the process to work with our legislators to acquire funds for our city’s needs. She has successfully worked with our congressional delegation in Washington, D.C, in her former positions.
Come visit with Joann on Sunday, February 1, for a Meet and Greet at La Fonda del Sol, formerly the Delta, from 2-4 p.m. Get to know her and let her tell you what she plans to do to move our city in a positive direction.
I am very concerned about the state of our city, and if you share the same concern, you have to vote for write-in candidate Joann V. Salazar to change the direction of our city. Thank you Española.
Alice A. Lucero
former mayor